Mercenaries.

[Azathoth]

I've had Seleukid FMs come into Hayasan with a couple of units, and if left alone for a few turns they will suddenly acquire mega mercenary armies. After these are defeated at great expense, I find that the province mercenary pool is totally empty.

[Atraphoenix]

In VH campaign AS uses nearly half of the stack as mercenaries.
money script helps them to hire.

[johnhughthom]

I've had Seleukid FMs come into Hayasan with a couple of units, and if left alone for a few turns they will suddenly acquire mega mercenary armies. After these are defeated at great expense, I find that the province mercenary pool is totally empty.

I normally have it happen that way. I'm guessing my character was in one "merc region" and the AS in another, even though they were pretty much beside each other, and it was just coincidence both pools were identical. It's the only thing that makes any sense.

[Whatever Scortamareva]

I normally have it happen that way. I'm guessing my character was in one "merc region" and the AS in another, even though they were pretty much beside each other, and it was just coincidence both pools were identical. It's the only think that makes any sense.

The 'merc pool' thing is plausible, i've seen it plenty of times where there are two of my FMs in different regions with the same merc roster. The thing which annoys me is when an AI FM seems to be able to recruit a full stack of mercs in one turn, when the player can usually only recruit half a stack tops with the amount available. I know you've already mentioned it but it does seem a bit annoying.